Cunard Line plans a royal rendezvous next month when the modern ocean liner Queen Elizabeth visits the Queen Mary, a former Cunard ship that has been retired for 45 years. The Long Beach landmark, whose art deco cabins now serve as hotel rooms, once sailed the North Atlantic as a sister ship of the Queen Elizabeth from 1947 to 1967.

The deal: The public is invited to stroll onto the Queen Mary for free to watch the historic rendezvous that includes a whistle salute between the two ships, live entertainment and fireworks.

When: The Queen Mary will be open 4 to 9 p.m. March 12 for viewing the ships. The Queen Elizabeth is expected to arrive in Long Beach Harbor at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks begin at 7:30 p.m.

Details: The thoroughly modern Queen Elizabeth is the newest Cunard ship and the second to bear the royal name. It was launched in 2010. Cunard says it's the first time the two ships have met since 1967 when the Queen Mary and the original Queen Elizabeth passed each other on transatlantic voyages. The Queen Mary 2 visited its namesake in 2006, and the Queen Victoria visited in 2011.